How to Copyright a Comic Book Script
Authors of original comic book scripts, both published and unpublished, hold copyright protection for their works. This protection, granted by U.S. law, gives the author sole rights to reproduce, display or distribute the script. If you have created a comic book script, you have automatically secured copyright for that script simply by putting it into a fixed form, such as on paper or on a computer hard drive. For additional protection, though, you should register your copyrighted work with the U.S. Copyright Office. By registering, you establish a public record of your authorship and enhance your ability to contest any violations of your copyright.
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Instructions
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On-line
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Convert your comic book script file into a commonly accepted format, such as a Microsoft Word document, text file or PDF.
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Go to the U.S.Copyright Office website (copyright.gov).
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Click on "eCO Login."
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Create a user ID and password to register on the system.
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Follow the instructions to complete a copyright registration application. Provide information on yourself as well as the comic book script, including when it was created and by whom.
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Pay the filing fee of $35 with a credit card, debit card or electronic check and submit the copyright registration form.
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Upload and submit your comic book script file. If you do not wish to upload your script electronically, you also have the option of sending a hard copy of the script to the Copyright Office by mail. As soon as the Copyright Office receives your script and payment, the script is considered registered. The Copyright Office will send you a certificate of copyright approximately three months later.
By Mail
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Go to the U.S. Copyright Office website (copyright.gov).
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Click on "Forms."
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Click on "Form CO."
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Click on "Download Form CO."
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Complete Form CO on-line but do not print it before completing it. Provide information on yourself as well as your script, such as the title, date of publication and the type of work that it is.
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Print and sign the completed Form CO.
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Submit the completed Form CO, along with a hard copy of your comic book script and your registration fee payment of $50, to the Library of Congress Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Washington DC 20559-6222.
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Tips & Warnings
Registration forms can also be requested from the Copyright Office by mail. The registration fee for paper forms requested by mail is $65 as of September 2011.
Expect the Copyright Office to send you a copyright certificate in approximately 10 months upon receipt of your copyright registration form.
